After the Spitsbergen Marathon: Isfjord Radio

The Route: Longyearbyen → Isfjord Radio → Longyearbyen Logistics: In summer the lodge is reached by boat on a sea safari, with several departures a week from Longyearbyen. The transfer duration is not given. Two nights at the lodge. Marathon Month: June Duration: 2 nights

Longyearbyen ──(sea safari boat)──> Isfjord Radio ──(boat)──> Longyearbyen

Isfjord Radio is a destination stay, not a race-morning base. Visit Svalbard lists it as an adventure hotel that is open from February to October. In summer, guests arrive by boat on a sea safari, with several departures a week from Longyearbyen. The listing does not give the transfer time. Book through the operator, Basecamp Explorer, and confirm the departure that fits your flight.

June at 78° north: polar summer runs from 17 May to 30 September. Boat schedules depend on weather and ice, so keep a spare day before any flight home.

Night One and Night Two: the lodge

The listing says that the stay includes all meals, served at the hotel, with a bar, free Wi-Fi, a library and a campfire area. There is a sauna on the cliff edge and a bathing spot, a private pier and a sea view from the rooms, although the rooms have no TV and share a bathroom. Check-out is at 11:00. The sauna suits tired legs.

Activities listed include boat trips, dog sledding, guided tours, hiking, safari and snowmobile trips. In June, dog sledding on wheeled sleds is possible where snow is thin, according to Visit Svalbard. Snowmobile trips depend on snow, so do not count on them. Choose a short guided walk over a long one while the legs recover.

Getting back

The boat returns to Longyearbyen, and from there you can take the airport shuttle to Svalbard Airport (LYR). Leave a margin for a weather delay.